Päivi Lappalainen

Purpose: This study investigated the associations between dimensions of temperament and loneliness in adolescents and further explored whether the associations differed according to adolescents’ psychological flexibility. Methods: 885 Finnish Grade 9 adolescents ( M _age 15.80, girls 56.4%) filled in questionnaires on their temperament, loneliness and psychological flexibility. Results: High levels of Negative affectivity (NA) and Affiliativeness (AF) were identified as potential risk factors for adolescent loneliness, while high Effortful Control (EC) was found to be associated with lower levels of loneliness. Additionally, psychological flexibility was found to buffer the effect of high NA and high AF on loneliness, suggesting that psychological flexibility can protect against loneliness in adolescents presenting temperamental risk factors. Conclusions: In light of this novel finding, we posit that promoting adolescent psychological flexibility with values- and acceptance-based interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), can make important contributions in efforts to tackle adolescent loneliness.

High levels of parental stress and psychological inflexibility are common among caregivers raising children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Navigator ACT is a group‐based treatment developed to increase psychological flexibility and reduce the impact of stress among parents of children with various disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disability, acquired brain injury). This two‐arm randomized controlled trial ( n = 137) was conducted in Sweden within outpatient disability services setting, and pre‐registered in the clinical trials register. To compare conditions, stressed and distressed parents were randomly assigned to either the ACT group ( n = 70) or treatment‐as‐usual (TAU, n = 67). In the ACT group, 83.3% completed the full course of treatment. Mixed‐model linear regression analyses indicated that ACT was significantly more effective than TAU in reducing self‐reported psychological inflexibility ( p < 0.002, d = 0.84) and parenting stress (p < 0.001, d = 0.38). These improvements were maintained at four‐month follow‐up. Parents in the ACT group also reported significantly greater improvements in their children's prosocial behaviors ( p < 0.05, d = 0.46). However, no significant group differences were observed in levels of parental depression, anxiety, mindfulness, or child's difficulties. ACT group treatment demonstrated promising outcomes in reducing psychological inflexibility and parenting stress in a mixed group of parents of children with different neurodevelopmental disabilities, suggesting that parent support interventions do not need to be specific to the child's diagnosis.

Purpose: Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) can significantly impair work ability and daily functioning, exacerbated by comorbid illness worry (IW). This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examined the effectiveness of guided internet-based treatment on work ability and daily functioning of working-aged individuals with PPS associated with indoor environment (IE) and/or chronic fatigue (CF) with disability. The intervention was based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) combined with individual case formulation, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). IW’s role in moderating effects was explored. Methods: In this RCT (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04532827), 103 individuals with PPS linked to IE, CF or both were assigned to a video-based case conceptualization and 10-week internet-based ACT with TAU (iACT + TAU; n = 50) or TAU alone ( n = 53). Self-reported work ability and daily functioning were assessed from pre-intervention to 9-month follow-up, examining the potential moderating effect of baseline IW. Analyses used linear mixed models and Type III ANOVA. Results: Of the 103 participants, 62% completed the 9-month follow-up. Baseline demographics showed no significant differences between treatment groups. Significant positive interaction (treatment group and time) effects for work ability were found in the iACT + TAU group at post-measurement ( β = 0.41, p = 0.041), 3-month ( β = 0.58, p = 0.004), and 9-month ( β = 0.47, p = 0.022) follow-ups. Daily functioning improved significantly at 3-month ( β = 0.57, p = 0.007), particularly in the work domain ( β = 0.67, p = 0.003). IW and PPS group did not moderate outcomes. Conclusion: Internet-based ACT with individual case formulation was associated with improved work ability for individuals with PPS associated with IE and CF, providing preliminary support for further examination as a potential frontline treatment.

This study explores the impact of a university language course—Dialogue: Constructive Talk at Work, based on Bohmian dialogue—on student well-being. Bohmian dialogue aligns with principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which are known to support well-being. A mixed-method design without a control group was used. Quantitative data from 125 students were collected using the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for University Students. No statistically significant changes were observed at the group level, potentially due to low post-intervention participation (41.6%). However, qualitative analysis of student blog posts revealed increased awareness related to the course themes. This suggests that dialogue-based language instruction may support well-being over time. The findings highlight the potential of integrating dialogue approaches into foreign language education to enhance student well-being in higher education. Such integration demonstrates how language teaching can contribute to broader educational and psychological outcomes in academic settings.

This study aimed to expand knowledge on the roles of psychological inflexibility and school friendship closeness in adolescents' loneliness during the transition to upper secondary education. The participants were 885 Finnish adolescents (mean age = 15.74, SD = 0.37, 56% girls). Loneliness was measured twice: in Grade 9 and at the beginning of upper secondary school in 10th grade. Psychological inflexibility and the closeness of friendships in school were measured in Grade 9. Results showed that a high level of psychological inflexibility in Grade 9 was associated with higher loneliness at the beginning of upper secondary education and increased loneliness during the educational transition. Furthermore, girls' (but not boys') friendship closeness in school partly mediated the association between psychological inflexibility and loneliness. The results suggested that psychological inflexibility is a social risk factor for loneliness among adolescents transitioning to upper secondary school. Enhancing psychological flexibility skills could thus make an important contribution to the promotion of adolescent peer relationships and prevention of loneliness.

Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) can significantly impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and are often accompanied by psychiatric comorbidity. Psychological flexibility (PF), characterized by the ability to adapt functionally and congruently to diverse situations based on personal values, may play a crucial role in determining HRQoL. This study aims to examine the associations between symptoms of depression, anxiety or insomnia or PF and HRQoL among individuals with PPS associated with (i) the indoor environment (IE), (ii) chronic fatigue, or (iii) both. We utilized the baseline data (n = 103) from a randomized controlled trial focused on improving the HRQoL of individuals (mean age 46.1, SD 7.8, 86% women) experiencing PPS associated with IE or chronic fatigue. Self-report questionnaires were administered to evaluate symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and dimensions of PF, including acceptance, cognitive fusion, and thought suppression. The primary outcome was HRQoL, assessed using a 15D questionnaire. The association between symptoms, PF dimensions, and HRQoL was examined using Pearson’s correlation and ANCOVA. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia were negatively associated with HRQoL (p <.001) across all participants. Among individuals with PPS associated with IE, higher PF was significantly associated with higher HRQoL. No association was found between PF and HRQoL in those with chronic fatigue-associated PPS or both conditions. PF associated with positive outcomes in HRQoL in individuals with PPS associated with the indoor environment, but not in those with chronic fatigue. Further research on the differences between these groups is warranted to enhance treatment targeting. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04532827 (registered 26.08.2020).